Israel Adesanya says he'll face backup fighter if Yoel Romero misses weight at UFC 248

Making 185 pounds isn’t an easy process for Cuban contender Yoel Romero, but current champ Israel Adesanya isn’t willing to do him any favors ahead of their matchup at UFC 248.

In fact, Adesanya (18-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) said that if Romero (13-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) doesn’t hit the mark ahead of their March 7 event in Las Vegas, “The Soldier of God” shouldn’t expect to step into the cage that night. Adesanya wants to make sure he secures a red ruby for his championship belt, the gem that’s awarded to a fighter for each successful defense of their title.

“If he misses weight, all I know is I want 80 percent of his (expletive) check,” Adesanya said at a press conference today in New Zealand. “That’s the only thing that pisses me off, because then it wouldn’t be classified with a red ruby on my belt if he doesn’t make weight, and that would really piss me off, and I would probably give the shot to someone else who deserves it. I might ask for the replacement.

“If he doesn’t make weight, I might say, ‘Jared Cannonier, step in,’ or Darren Till – if he can make it in – step in, because, yeah, (expletive) all that.”

Adesanya told UFC officials specifically that he wanted a fight with Romero before they were booked for UFC 248. But it’s clear his contempt for the powerful wrestler is building. While Adesanya traveled to the U.S. for a press conference earlier this month, Romero didn’t reciprocate for today’s session in New Zealand.

“(Expletive) this (expletive),” Adesanya said. “He didn’t even show up. I went all the way to America for one day. I showed up and did my thing. He can’t even show up. The disrespect. The audacity.”

Assuming Romero does hit his mark, the fight will produce an intriguing clash of styles. Adesanya is one of the most impressive strikers in the sport today, while Romero is an Olympic medalist in wrestling. Still, Adesanya cautions anyone who thinks he can’t grapple, as well.

“If he comes heavy with the wrestling, he better pack a lunch because he’s going to be in for a long day,” Adesanya said. “Sprawl and brawl. When I sprawl, my nuts are going to be on the back of his head. I’ll push his head down, and I’ll smack him in the face with an uppercut.”

Whether or not he can execute that plan remains to be seen, but Adesanya made it clear Romero shouldn’t expect the same luxury he was afforded when he missed weight for 2018 fights with Robert Whittaker and Luke Rockhold – bouts which were contested despite his infraction.

“He’s a guy that’s disrespected the sport,” Adesanya said. “When he fought, his last win was at 221. … Dude, this is chess, not checkers. … He had two hours to try and make weight. He decided not to make the weight, and you know why? He decided, ‘I’ll take the fine … but I won’t dehydrate myself to the point where I won’t be able to fight, and that way he gets to go out there, knock out Rockhold, then still gets to go and fight for the (expletive) belt.

“For me, he better make weight because I’m coming ready, man. Seriously.”